[SUBW-A] Trip Report, Tayan Peak, 10-11 Nov 2007

[Ashley Burke]

TRIP: Tayan Peak and surrounds, 10-11 Nov 2007

PARTY: Jo Boyd, Rob Hynes, Denis Hinds, Ashley Burke

Recent rain and mild weather over the weekend made for perfect conditions
for a weekend of exploratory bushwalking.

Tayan Peak is a prominent basalt peak on a complex plateau region in the
northern Blue Mountains. The plateau is surrounded by private property, so
permission from the local landowners is needed to gain access. A contact
from my old school had a link with one of the properties adjoining this area
and through this contact I was able to gain permission from the farmer to
access this area. This provided a great opportunity for some bushwalking in
a new area that no one on the trip had previously visited.

Friday night was damp and drizzly as we rolled up at the Glen Davis camping
area. But the following morning as we drove up through Glen Alice, bursts of
sunlight found their way through the heavy clouds, promising that we were
heading out in improving, not deteriorating weather.

After meeting the farmer and exchanging pleasantries we set off with
overnight packs, heading up a ridge and into the bush, climbing steadily.
The bush was crisp and alive after the recent rain, and the going was open
and clear. We climbed into cool mist, the geology changed from sandstone to
basalt, and after a steep climb through tall stands of eucalypts, we reached
the summit of Tayan Peak. There was a brand spanking new logbook there,
complete with solid steel tin and parker pen. Ours was only the third entry
to go in the book and while we wrote, views of the surrounding rugged
country were seen as the clouds began to lift.

We headed on in a different direction, following a broad ridge. As soon as
the geology reverted back to sandstone, the scrub hit. We pushed through
some scrub and found a prominent lookout for a pleasant lunch. Water was to
be found in tiny rock pools around the lookout rock. The views to the north
were spectacular.

There was more scrub after lunch, and the country was rugged and
interesting, with cliffs that prevented us from climbing to the highest
points of the ridge. Some careful sidling had to be done to keep on route.
Our aim was to get to a point on the western edge of the plateau in time to
camp, where we hoped we would find a spot with great sunset views.

Just when we thought the scrub might impede us from reaching our objective,
it all of a sudden gave way to gentle open grassland with scattered ferns
and trees. We had found a basalt neck! Instead of the expected scratchy
scrub bash we crossed some dry open gullies and open country to reach the
vicinity of a prominent sandstone feature called the Chimney Stack. We
climbed to a knoll very close to this feature and here at last were the
panoramic views we had come for. Way to the south we could see rugged
features like Cottage Rock, Mt Canobla, Glen Trig and Pantoneys Crown. The
spectacle of these features was augmented by the soft glows of evening
light. Closer that these was the dissected ruggedness of the plateau that we
were on, and the prominent spire of Tayan Peak itself. Closer still, right
near us in fact, were small rock pools filled with recent rain that would
provide enough water for an overnight camp. And there were small tent sites
to be found among the trees. So this would be a perfect camp site.

By now the weather was completely clear and cool, the sun was going down,
the wine came out, the camera clicked and then we settled in to a great
evening around the camp fire.

Sunday was another perfect day and the first thing on the list was to bag
the Chimney Stack. We sidled around to the base of this prominent peak and
while Denis waited, Jo, Bean and I scrambled up through layers of rock until
we were on the summit. There was a great lookout platform on the summit
where we enjoyed incredible views. Then we worked our way down to Harris
Gap, undertaking a short abseil which later was found to be unnecessary. We
would have lunch in Harris Gap, but first a short side trip to try to get on
top of some nearby cliffs was called for. We found a tricky pass, which
involved a steep chimney move, a tunnel, then a crack which finally led out
onto cliff tops. Here we enjoyed more incredible views of ragged cliffs
stretching away to the south. We revelled in these views before returning to
Harris Gap for lunch.

The afternoon was spent descending off the plateau and working our way back
to the property where our car was waiting. We found a pleasant 4WD trail
that skirted farms, keeping to the shaded sanctuary of open bushland. This
was followed by a 3km road bash back to the car. We thanked the farmer for
allowing us access and headed back to Capertee Pub where the trip was
concluded over something cold and thirst quenching.

A fantastic weekend of exploration, all new dots, spectacular country which
was new ground for all of us, great weather, great fun.

Ashley Burke
Mobile: 0414 633 315
Email: aburke at ozemail.com.au
Web page: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~aburke